North Korean leader Kim Jong Un recently returned to the spotlight looking slimmer and the clearest evidence that he is actively trying to shed his weight may lie with his Swiss timepiece.

Kim’s
ever-present IWC Schaffhausen Portofino appeared to have been fastened tighter
around his wrist in the latest photos while he attended a meeting released by
state media, according to an analysis published Tuesday by NK News.

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The news site based in Seoul compared close-ups of the
$12,000 watch from past months to support observations that Kim, 37, had
slimmed down. The North Korean leader’s family has a history of heart disease
thus Kim’s weight status has been constantly chased by spy agencies for clues regarding
the stability of his autocratic and secretive regime.

South Korea’s spy agency told lawmakers in November that Kim
weighed an estimated 140 kilograms (309 pounds) and had gained some 50
kilograms since he came to power in 2011.

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“Foreign intelligence agencies want
to know if Kim Jong Unhealthy enough to remain the leader for a long amount of
time,” said Colin Zwirko, a senior analytic correspondent for NK News.
“What’s going on behind the scenes, if he’s unhealthy? And how does that affect
security in the region given North Korea has nuclear weapons.”

Kim’s health has become the subject of global intrigue. He missed
birthday celebrations for his late grandfather and state founder Kim Il Sung,
as he was absent for 20 days with media whatsoever. The Seoul-based news site Daily NK reported that
Kim had experienced a “cardiovascular surgical procedure,” and, when he
finally emerged, NK News saw a mark on his wrist as possible evidence to
support the theory about it being the reason behind his weight loss.

Also read: Biden’s criticism is ‘encroachment and provocation’ says North Korea

On Sunday Kim attended a ruling party meeting on economic
issues almost after a month as he hadn’t been featured in North Korean state
media for some time now. The country’s economy has shown little sign of growth this year after
its worst shrinkage in decades as it continues to struggle with the global pandemic,
U.S. sanctions, and a shortfall of trade with China.

 South Korean Defense
Minister Suh Wook told the parliament that Kim is focusing on taking care of
internal matters for the time being rather than concentrating only on regional
tensions through provocative military moves on Wednesday